STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1727

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 228

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 228, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LICENSE PLATES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices; and

(2) Establish minimum and maximum fines.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Transportation, and one individual.

Your Committees find that license plate flipping devices are mechanisms that allow drivers to switch, conceal, or alter their vehicle's license plates while driving. These devices are primarily used to evade law enforcement, avoid tolls, circumvent traffic cameras, and facilitate criminal activities. These devices have been a growing concern for law enforcement and their ability to properly identify vehicles involved in criminal activities. Your Committees further find that license plate visibility and integrity are essential components of the State's traffic safety system. This measure closes loopholes to prohibit the use of license plate flipping devices and establish fines to deter those who might consider using such devices to evade identification.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a definition for "cover or shield"; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 228, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 228, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair